MKOMAZI NATIONAL PARK
Mkomazi lies in the southern tip of the Sahel zone characterized by Acacia-Commiphora species found in the Park. It resembles a dry-land reserve of grey-green nyika bush, ancient baobab trees and rocky hills. A vast savannah of woodlands of acacias seems like huge umbrellas protecting the region can also be seen in maximum places of Tanzania.
The Park is located in the in the northern part of Tanzania within Kilimanjaro and Tanga Regions. In the northern part, the park borders Tsavo west National Park in Kenya
The park has a semi-arid climate with bimodal rainfall distribution pattern. The southern Extension of the ‘’Sahel’’ habitat characterized by Acacia-Commiphora species is found in the Park.
The park gets its main source of water from Umba River. A little rainfall can be seen around the year making the park fresh and worth visiting. The park fall into Mkomazi-Tsavo Ecosystem, which is the second largest trans-boundary ecosystem in East Africa After the famous one, Serengeti- Mara Ecosytem.
The most famous natives of the Mkomazi are the African wild dogs and the endangered black rhinos. This park is also one of the best places to see large herds of oryx, Giraffe, gerenuk, lesser kudu, eland, hartebeest, impala and Grant’s gazelle share the reserve with elephant, buffalo, and numerous predators, including lion, leopard and cheetah.
Apart from this, the birds seen in the park are also abundant in number. The recorded bird species are almost 450 and you can witness these during a game drive. The most common species include ostriches, long-crested eagles, hoopoes and bustards. Around the Umba River, sightings of kingfishes, flamingos, cormorants, plovers, ducks and crocodiles on the river banks are common.
Mkomazi National Park possesses unique attractions where you would have the opportunity to enjoy the fullest as its not crowdy and almost every type of animals are seen
Best time to visit Mkomazi National Park
The best time to visit Mkomazi National Park is during the dry season, from June to October. This period offers ideal conditions for wildlife viewing, as animals congregate around water sources, making it easier to spot them. The dry weather also allows for comfortable trekking and exploration of the park’s diverse landscapes, which include savannahs, woodlands, and volcanic mountains. The wet season, from November to May, brings lush greenery and is a great time for birdwatching, especially for migratory species, but wildlife may be more dispersed due to the abundance of water.
